As organisers made their call for entries for the second Tropfest in a year, Jefferson Grainger, the man whose documentary Better than Sinatra came second in February, is still basking in the glow of a good deed richly rewarded.

The film is about dancing pensioner Raymond Borzelli, often spotted in Sydney busking. During the awards ceremony in the Domain, judge Sam Worthington announced an impromptu $3000 prize from his own pocket for Borzelli, for a category he dubbed "best personality in a documentary".

The Avatar actor not only delivered on his promise, he inspired a few others as well. "I also gave him my cash,'' says Grainger, ''and the winner gave him a couple of grand as well."

The funds were placed in a trust to ensure Borzelli's pension wasn't threatened, and Grainger stresses that - like a servo - Borzelli can proudly boast no cash is kept on premises, so there's no point approaching him for a loan.

Other approaches have been coming thick and fast. "It was kind of like I became his manager by default," says Grainger, who fielded offers worth thousands of dollars for Borzelli to dance on television. "He turned a lot of it down. He wanted to go and dance and be a solo performer."

Borzelli had got what he wanted. "I said in my speech if you see him, sling him five bucks or 10 bucks if you like his dancing. Ever since, people have been doing that. They go up and talk to him. It's changed his life, just a little bit of fame, enough that he's satisfied."

The film, which Grainger made in a day when other plans fell through, almost didn't play at Tropfest. "I was just going to put it online." Friends convinced him to enter it. "It's changed my life. Now, all my stupid ideas, I have the confidence to go and follow them."

As for Borzelli? "He's still out there dancing, probably now!"

Entries for Tropfest open on August 15, close on October 10 and must feature the Tropfest Signature Item "Change".